Hubballi: Though people of Dharwad boast of having an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) that will start its first academic year next month, educationists regret that no student from North Karnataka region has managed to get admission to the premier institute.

Therefore, the officials of the education department have formulated a novel concept to prepare students from the high school level in association with VaishuDeep Foundation run by Shivaleela, the wife of minister for Mines and Geology Vinay Kulkarni.

Out of a total 120 students accommodated in the institute, a mere five students from Karnataka have managed to get admission. Therefore, the officials have decided to finalise the list of high school students who are aspiring to become IITians.

Later, they will train high school headmasters with the help of several resource persons in the initial stage. Science and mathematics teachers will also get training in the second stage.

Awareness will also be created among parents of selected high school students about the material, notes. VaishuDeep Foundation will provide all assistance and financial help to the poor students. Free coaching will be provided to the students every Sunday without disturbing their regular classes.

“We have finalised a list of 20-30 experts from various sectors to provide training to the school headmasters and teachers. Initially, we will implement this in all schools in Dharwad on an experimental basis and the coaching will be extended to all schools in the region in the coming years. The scheme will be launched from July 29 and selected students of 8th, 9th and 10th standards will get coaching every Saturday,” Dharwad block education officer S.M. Huded said.